MuxLab 500306 - Shielded CATV Balun for Structured Cabling (RF over RJ45)
The MuxLab 500306 is a high-performance CATV signal extender balun, specifically designed to integrate cable television, broadband, and FM equipment into modern structured cabling systems. This passive device allows you to replace traditional, rigid RG6 coaxial cable with twisted-pair cable (Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7), offering a much more flexible, aesthetically pleasing, and manageable solution for residential and commercial environments.
Unlike standard baluns, this model features a reinforced and shielded design thanks to its die-cast aluminum housing. This construction not only guarantees superior physical durability but also provides exceptional isolation against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), ensuring clean and stable signal transmission. It is the ideal tool for professional installers looking to optimize network infrastructure without sacrificing image or data quality.
Its ability to operate in a bandwidth of 5 MHz to 900 MHz makes it fully compatible with broadband internet services, digital cable television, VHF channels, and FM broadcasts. By using shielded twisted pairs (STP), the system maximizes transmission distance and signal integrity, allowing RF services to be delivered to any location with an available RJ45 network port.
Main features
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Efficient Media Conversion: Transforms the impedance from 75 ohms (Coaxial) to 100 ohms (Twisted Pair), allowing the use of standard network cable for TV signals.
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High Bandwidth: Supports frequencies from 5 MHz to 900 MHz, covering the entire spectrum of CATV, digital TV and cable Internet.
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Superior Shielding: Die-cast aluminum housing that protects the signal against external noise and interference, crucial for maintaining data speed and image clarity.
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Compact and Practical Design: Its form factor allows multiple units to be installed side-by-side in standard RF splitters without space problems.
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Long Distance Transmission: Capable of sending signals up to 100 meters using Cat 5e/6/7 cable (depending on the frequency and input power).
Benefits for the installation
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Simplified Wiring: Eliminates the need to run dedicated coaxial cable to each room; leverages the existing Ethernet network to distribute television and Internet.
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Total Flexibility: Allows you to move TVs, cable modems or set-top boxes to any location with an RJ45 wall socket, facilitating layout changes in offices or homes.
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Cost and Time Reduction: Network cable is generally cheaper and easier to handle, cut and connect than heavy RG6 coaxial cable.
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Professional Aesthetics: Centralizes connections in the communications rack, eliminating cable tangles behind equipment and providing a clean finish.
Use cases
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Hotel and Hospital Environments: Distribution of TV signal to rooms using the existing network infrastructure, reducing renovation costs.
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Office Buildings: Sending corporate television or news signals to meeting rooms and common areas without installing additional coaxial cabling.
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Smart Homes: Integration of CATV and broadband services into the centralized home media panel.
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Educational Institutions: Distribution of educational channels or local antenna signal to classrooms and auditoriums through the physical LAN network.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need two units for it to work?
Yes, these baluns are generally used in pairs: one in the distribution panel (signal source) to convert from Coaxial to RJ45, and another at the user end (TV or modem) to convert back from RJ45 to Coaxial.
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Does it work with direct satellite TV?
This model supports frequencies up to 900 MHz. Most direct satellite dish (LNB) signals operate at higher frequencies (950-2150 MHz), so this device is designed for cable TV (CATV), digital terrestrial television (DTT), or receiver outputs, not for direct satellite dish connection.
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What type of network cable should I use?
It can work with UTP (unshielded), but the manufacturer strongly recommends using STP (shielded) Cat 5e, 6 or 7 cable for maximum distance and interference protection.
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Does this device require electrical power?
No, the MuxLab 500306 is a completely passive device and does not require any external power supply.
Project description
Shielded passive balun for transmitting RF signals (CATV, VHF, FM, and Broadband) over twisted-pair cabling. Operating bandwidth from 5 MHz to 900 MHz with low insertion loss. Die-cast aluminum housing for maximum EMI/RFI shielding. 75-ohm F-type (male) input interface and 100-ohm RJ45 (female) output, using pins 7 and 8. Supports distances up to 100 meters depending on the channel frequency. Compatible with Cat5e/6/7 UTP and STP cables.
